Switch



Jan. 13, 1953 w, c s 2,625,630

SWITCH Filed Jan. 10, 1949 HrTa/zM/EXs.

Patented Jan. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH Howard W. Eckles, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to The Emerson Electric Manufacturing Company, St. Louis, Mo., a. corporation of Missouri Application January 10, 1949, Serial No. 70,029

5 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to the switch art, and more particularly to a novel centrifugally operated switch for use with the starting windings of motors, and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel centrifugally operated switch in which the movable contact points wipe across the stationary contact points in the circuit making and breaking actions.

Another object is to provide a centrifugally cperated wipin action switch incorporating a movable contact carrying lever having a long override after closing the points, yet in which the spring pressure built up as a result thereof is negligible.

Another object is to provide a centrifugally perated switch which contains stop members for positively limiting the outward movement of the actuating lever.

Other objects are to provide a novel centrifugally operated switch which has a minimum number of parts, which is of rugged construction, and which is relatively easy to assemble.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the switch;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the switch showing the actuating lever in the outward or unactuated position;

Fig. 4 is the same as Fig. 3, but showing the actuating lever partially depressed and the contact points in touching engagement;

Fig. 5 is the same as Figs. 3 and 4, but showing the actuating lever fully depressed and with the contact points in extreme positions of wiping en- 'gagement;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged top plan view of the movable contact support member;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the base member; and

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the actuating lever.

Referring to the drawing more particularly by reference numerals, Ill indicates generally a switch embodying the teachings of the present invention which includes a base member 12 which has integrally formed bracket portions [4 and I6 2 extending normal to the upper surface thereof. Aligned openings I8 and 20 are formed in the base of the bracket portions l4 and i6, respectively, and a square-shaped opening 22 is formed in the center of the base member 12.

Contact terminal bars 24 and 26 are secured to the upper surface of the base member l2 and have stationary contact points 28 attached adjacent the innermost ends thereof. Apertures 30 are formed in the outermost ends of the bars 24 and 26 for the attachment of conductors (shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2).

An L-shaped actuating lever 32 is pivotally mounted between the bracket portions l4 and I6 by means of a pin 34 which passes through the openings I8 and 20 in the base of the bracket portions, and an opening 36 formed in the base portion of the lever. The lever 32 (Fig. 9) contains outwardly extending ears 38 and 40 and a transverse groove 42 which is formed in the upper surface near the free end thereof. A boss 44 which contains a transverse opening 4c is formed integral with the lever 32.

A movable contact support member 48 is pivotally mounted on the boss A l, and includes a base portion 52 which has spaced tabs 54 and 56 extending upwardly normal to the surface thereof, the tabs having aligned openings 58 and 60 formed therein. A pin 6% extends through the opening 46 in the boss 44 and through the openings 58 and 60. A notch 52 separates the base portion 52 into two wing-like sections, each of which has a contact point 64 secured to the lower surface thereof. The distance between the contact points 64 is the same as that between the stationary contact points 28 mounted on the base member l2.

A headed pin 66 is secured to the actuating lever 32 and extends downwardly through the notch 62 formed in the movable contact support member 48. A cup washer 68 is slidabl disposed on the pin 66 above the member 48, and a coiled spring 10 surrounds the pin between the Washer 68 and the actuating lever 32. A removable retainer member 72 is fastened adjacent the end of the pin 66 below the movable contact support member 48.

Opposed short frusto-conical shaped studs 14 and 16 are contained on the actuating lever 32 and the base member i2, respectively, and a coiled spring 18 is disposed between them so as to urge the lever 32 away from the base member 12.

Integral with or secured, to the base member 12 are mounting bosses 19 which receive bolt assemblies 80 for securing the switch in operative position on a motor.

Operation of a starting winding when the rotor reaches a predetermined speed, a biased actuating member of any selected type and including centrifugally movable weights or the like (not shown) bears against the free end of the actuating lever 32 when the motor is at rest, so as to cause the movable contacts 64 to be in engagement with the stationary contacts 28, as shown in Fig. 5.

When the motor is energized and the rotor reaches a predetermined speed, the actuating member (not shown) starts moving outwardly due to centrifugal force acting upon its weight or the like, thereby permitting the free end of the actuating lever 32 to move away from the base member I2 under the action of the spring '18. This causes the movable contact points 5 to wipe across the stationary contact points 28 g;

with a rocking movement to the position shown in Fig. 4. This rocking movement is due to the movable contact support member if! pivoting about the pin 5: while the contact points are held in engagement by one end of the spring is bearing against the cup washer 68, which, in turn, bears against the outer surface of the movable contact support member 52.

After the actuating lever 32 reaches the position shown in Fig. 4, further outward movement causes the contact points to break due to the lifting action of the retainer member 12 which bears against the underside of the movable contact support member 52, thereby opening the circuit to the starting winding.

Thereafter, the movable contact support mem ber 48, the pin 56, the spring is, the cup washer 68, and the retainer member '32 move as a unit away from the base member and its stationary contact points 28 until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 3. The outward movement of the actuating lever 32 is stopped when it reaches this position due to theears 38 and 2-8 abutting the bracket portions is and 15, respectively.

After the motor is deenergized and the rot'a- 5 tion of the rotor decreases to a predetermined speed, the actuating lever 32 starts to move toward the base member l2 due to the force of the actuating member bearing against the free end thereof. This causes the movable contact support member 48, the pin 66, the spring 10, the cup washer 68 and the retainer member 12 to move as a unit toward the base member :2 and its stationary contact points 28. This movement continues until the movable contact points 64 meet with the stationary contact points 28, as shown in Fig. 4. Thereafter, continued movement of the actuating lever 32 causes the movable contact points {it to slide over or wipe across the stationary contact points 23 in a rock- The spring H3 is of light con struotion so that the resistance pressure built up in the override is negligible.

In the position shown in Fig. 5, the free end of the pin 66 and the retaining member 12 extend into the opening 22 in the base member I2.

From the above description and the accompanying drawing, it is apparent that there has been provided a novel centrifugally operated switch which fulfills all of the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given only by way of illustration and example, and that changes and alterations in the present disclosure, which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. A switch comprising a' base member containing a pair of contact points, an actuating lever pivotally mounted on said base member, a movable contact support member containing a pair of contact points pivotally fastened to said actuating lever, an elongated notch in one edge of said support member between the movable contact points, a rod-like member secured to the actuating lever and having the free end thereof extending through said notch, a coiled spring disposed around said rod-like member between the actuating lever and the support memher, a cupped washer slidably disposed on the rod-like member adjacent the support member to receive one end of the spring, and a removable stop member adjacent the end of said rodlike member preventing it from being withdrawn through said notch.

2. A switch comprising a base member containing a pair of contact points and having a pair of spaced bracket-like members extending normal to the surface thereof, an L-shaped actuating lever pivotally mounted between the bracket-like members, yieldable means urging the lever away from the base member, ear-like members extending outwardly from the sides of the actuating lever for engagement with the edges of said bracket-like members so as to limit the movement of the lever away from said base member, a movable contact support member containing a pair of contact points pivotally mounted on said actuating lever, an elongated notch in one edge of said support member between the movable contact points, a rod-like member secured to the actuating lever and having the free end thereof extending through said notch, a coiled spring disposed around said rod-like member between the actuating lever and the support member, and a removable stop member adjacent the end of said rod-like member preventing it from being withdrawn through said notch.

3. A switch, comprising a base member having a bracket portion extending therefrom; at least one contact point mounted on the base member; an L-shaped actuating lever having a relatively long portion and a relatively short portion, pivotally mounted on the bracket portion; a movable substantially L-shaped support member pivotally fastened to the actuating lever adjacent the juncture-of the long portion and the short portion so that one of the legs of the support depends from said pivotal fastening toward the base memher and the other leg extends between the base member and the relatively long portion of the actuating lever, said last mentioned leg containing at least one contact point; the contact points aeaaeso being positioned so as to contact one another when the actuating lever is moved toward the base member.

4. A switch, comprising a base member havin a bracket portion extending therefrom; at least one contact point mounted on the base member; an L-shaped actuating lever having a relatively long portion and a relatively short portion, pivotally mounted on the bracket portion; a movable substantially L-shaped support member containing at least one contact point, pivotally fastened to the actuating lever so that one of the legs of the support depends from said pivotal fastening toward the base member and the other leg extends between the base member and the relatively long portion of the actuating lever, said last mentioned leg containing at least one contact point; the distance between the pivot point of the actuating lever and the base being different from the distance between the pivot point of the movable support member and the base, whereby the contacts are brought together with a relative sliding and rocking movement when the actuating lever is moved toward the base member.

5. A switch, comprising a base member having at least one contact point mounted thereon; an L-shaped actuating lever having a relatively long portion and a relatively short portion, the free end of the short portion being pivotally fastened to the base member; a movable substantially L-shaped support member pivotally fastened to the actuating lever adjacent the juncture of the long and short portions so that one of the legs of the support depends from said pivotal fastenin toward the base member and the other leg extends between the base member and the relatively long portion of the actuating lever, said last mentioned leg containing at least one contact point; a coiled spring disposed between the actuating lever and the support member, urging them apart; and an elongated member fastened to the actuating lever and extending outwardly therefrom within the coiled spring.

HOWARD W. ECKLES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,600,325 Dunlap et a1 Sept. 21, 1926 1,640,086 McCullough Aug. 23, 1927 1,693,631 Williams Dec. 4, 1928 1,782,916 Campbell et a1 Nov. 25, 1930 1,854,039 Jones Apr. 12, 1932 2,419,141 Johns et a1 Apr. 15, 1947 

